when a horses moves his/her ears.....

[ilovemycobs]

:-Hello everyone. i was wondering if anyone could tell me how you can tell what a horse is thinking when the ears move etc. my horses ears sometimes point forward or one is back and one is in front. she also stops and lifts her head up with pointed ears. does anyone know what this means?. i am not a confident rider, when her ears move etc i get scared that she's going to bolt,silly i know . any replies would be great.x


my mare and foal

[fin]

Ears v. forward and pointy = interest!

Ears turned backwards or to the side, often just one ear--listening to something or to the rider

Ears pinned--you're in trouble! Or in my horse's case, he's chasing a wheelbarrow of food and folds his ears out of the way in case another totally imaginary horse bites them off.

Floppy ears drooping sideways--can be relaxed or totally disgruntled...

But it does depend on the horse. I've seen mine try to take a chunk out of someone with perfectly alert happy ears--but he is a sneaky git and may not be representative of horse kind generally

[geeup]

mine has her ears back to the rider all the time, looks grumpy, but shes just listening. ears forward, stops, body tense, head up and still, bolt moment possible.

[ilovemycobs]

oh great, think i'll not ride her for a while lol. she does this alot but i always jumped off quickly lol.x

[Persianhorse]

Ears are the Radar and the system of gathering sound wave information around the Horse in a certain diameter.
Nose is a another information gathering tool.
Hoof is also a gathering information tool.
Eyes and ....

Take care,
PH.

[bhpride]

Tia rarely has her ears back when I'm riding, always forward..she's the nosiest horse I've ever ridden in my life but she's still responsive and does everything I ask etc.

[cokey]

Why will you not ride her for a while?

Ears moving often means absolutely nothing at all!! They're just listening to what's going on around them and if the noise is ahead, the ears will be forwards, if you're singing to them, chances are the ears will be back!

Sometimes, clearly, the ears DO have significance (Flat back for example is not great if coupled with aggressive face and body language!) but also sometimes, flat back is just because you're standing too close to them....

Unless you have another reason to not ride (like bucking, or running off!) then I don't understand why the ear position should put you off!

[cokey]

Oh, and beautiful horses btw!!

[Vicky&Beenie]

ears forward sticking up - v interested in something

ears turning around - focusing on something behind them

ears flat back against the poll - angry, may kick, bite etc

one in front, one pointing back - alert all around them

when she points her ears up and puts her head up she is interested in something. this is nothing to worry about. dont be scared othewise you will make your horse scared

[iceberg]

You mare is gorgeous, and how long have you had her?

It sounds as though you need to get to know her a bit better? So you are better at reading her? Ears can tell you a lot, as others have said and they are right, but when you know her you wont need to rely on the 'usual' interpretations of ears floppy or whatever.

It sounds as though you just need to gain more confidence around her, and really get to know her personality. Try leading her, grazing her , watching how she reacts to things (ears) and you will soon start to see what really bothers her, what is very interesting, what is pretty boring to her.

You can watch her body language, and see what you think she is going to do ie 'bolt' and what she actually does (nothing??, spook? jump abit?) This will help you see and guage reactions in the future.
Thats what I do /did and it worked for me anyhow.
She is a very pretty girl btw.x

[ilovemycobs]

hello again, i have had her for a year now, she's lovely isn't she?. i keep thinking about selling her then i change my mind lol.x

[Amanda Dolby]

why would you want to sell her?
She is a stunner.
Is she your first horse - I see a foaly too is that yours?
What makes you so fearful - specifically?
Oh and fear isn't silly - it has its uses. Appropriate fear is the key here.
Like pain - it is natures way of telling you that you are hurting yourself.
You are imagining bad things happening and that is a shame as by doing this you are waisting beautiful moments.
IF she has moved a bit faster than you wanted previously - it doesn't mean that she is going to do it now or again
......... and if she does run a little you may just find yourself - staying on safely - heavens above!
I think perhaps a bit of believing in yourself and trusting neddy is the order of the day


The more I hear folks who sound like you do the more it makes me kick myself for not setting up my happy rider courses- New Years resolution to me - Up date your website and get on with it!

Keep your chin up and relax ( this can be achieved by starting with breathing out

calm wishes
Amanda